module specification

The module aims to:

• Allow students the opportunity to engage in a major piece of independent research in Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
• Enable students to apply the knowledge and analytical techniques they have gained from studying Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy to a topic of their choice
• Develop their research, analytical and time-management skills
• Apply and develop their skills in writing up their findings in dissertation form

Students will receive guidance in topic selection and research investigation in lectures/workshops, and personal tutorials with their supervisor. LO 1  2  3  4  5  6

The lectures/ workshops will provide assistance in areas such as choosing research topics, undertaking research, finding library/electronic resources, examining sources, working with a supervisor, writing and presenting a dissertation, referencing and avoiding plagiarism. LO 1  2  3  4  5  6

Students enrol in this module for the whole year. They are given a detailed course handbook offering advice on the planning and carrying out of their research for the dissertation. They are prepared for their dissertation work through the lecture/workshop classes in the first semester enrolled in the module. They are then allocated a tutor with whom they will meet regularly in order to receive feedback and guidance as their work progresses. Reflective learning is an integral part of the student-supervisor relationship.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Formulate a significant research question and to carry through systematic research towards a defensible answer to the question
2. Master available sources in the given research topic area
3. Reflect upon and find solutions to theoretical and methodological issues raised by the research
4. Evaluate critically evidence and relevant secondary sources in the field
5. Reference their work thoroughly, using a consistent referencing system
6. Organise their work rigorously and effectively, and to present it in a professional way

Students must produce a dissertation of 15,000 words, which will be assessed in line with the learning outcomes above, accounting for 100% of the final grade. (The dissertation may be no more than 10% longer or shorter than the set word length.)

Students will also be required to produce a 500 word research proposal before allocation of a supervisor. This will be an ungraded formative piece of assessment, designed to allow students to be given feedback on their initial research plans.

CORE READING

Höglund, K. and Öberg, M. (eds) (2011) Understanding Peace Research: Methods and Challenges (New York: Routledge)
Savigny, H. and Marsden, L. (2011) Doing Political Science and International Relations: Theories in Action (Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan)
Wallensteen, P. (2011) Peace Research: Theory and Practice (London: Routledge)

ADDITIONAL READING

Babb, J. (2012) Empirical Political Analysis (Harlow: Pearson Education)
Bell, J. (2014) Doing your Research Project, 6th edn. (Maidenhead : McGraw-Hill Education)
Berry, Ralph (2004) The Research Project: How to Write It, 5th edn. (London: Routledge)
Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods, 4th edn. (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Burnham, P., Gilland, K., Grant, W. and Layton-Henry, Z. (2008) Research Methods in Politics, 2nd edn. (Basingstoke, Palgrave)
Davies, M. and Hughes, N. (2014) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods, 2nd edn. (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Grix, J. (2010) The Foundations of Research, 2nd edn. (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Harrison, L. (2001) Political Research: An Introduction (London: Routledge)
Marsh, D. and Stoker, G. (2010) Theory and Methods in Political Science, 3rd edn. (London: Palgrave Macmillan)
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013) How to Improve your Critical Thinking and Reflective Skills (Harlow: Pearson)
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2014) How to Complete a Successful Research Project (Harlow: Pearson)
Mounsey, C. (2002) Essays and Dissertations (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Pennings, P. et al. (2006) Doing Research in Political Science: An Introduction to Comparative Methods and Statistics, 2nd edn. (London, Sage)
Remenyi, D. and Bannister, F. (2013) Writing up your Research for a Dissertation or Thesis (Reading: Academic Conferences and Publishing International)
Rudestam, K.E. and Newton, R.R. (2007) Surviving your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, 3rd edn. (Newbury Park: Sage)
Silbergh, D.M. (2001) Doing Dissertations in Politics: A Student Guide (London Routledge)